A happy, responsible new year

December 31, 2011

Tonight is New Year's Eve and it's going to be a great time to enjoy ourselves, bidding the old year adieu while welcoming in the new one. For many, it's a time for peaceful reflection and measuring the ebb and flow of our lives over the past 365 days.

Some may ponder resolutions for the days ahead, promises to ourselves to quit smoking, spend more time exercising, saving money, losing weight, etc.

For others, New Year's Eve may mean there's dinner and dancing, and listening to good music.

We need, however, to be sure we do like the public service ads suggest - "drink responsibly," and "don't drink and drive."

Calling a ride when you've had too much to drink, or designating a driver, is not only common sense, it can save your life or the lives of others.

Law enforcement officials can be expected to increase patrols for New Year's Eve. An ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure in this regard. Waking up in a county jail cell is definitely not a good way to kick off the new year in style.

The staff at The Daily Mining Gazette hopes residents will think before they act while enjoying New Year's Eve celebrations.